I’m sharing a bright, sugar-free summer recipe featuring pineapple juice and coconut water with a splash of lime and pure tropical flavor to pique your curiosity.

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I wasn’t planning to invent a new favorite, it just happened when I mixed fresh pineapple juice with chilled coconut water on a scorcher of a day. At first I thought it would be too plain, but instead it tasted bright, oddly sophisticated and oddly simple all at once.

It wakes you up without punching you in the face, and it makes you curious what else a few pure ingredients can do. If you like Pineapple Juice And Coconut Water this will make you want to bottle summer, keep some for later and tell a friend.

Ingredients

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Fresh pineapple juice or chunks: Bright, naturally sweet, adds vitamin C and carbs, a bit of fiber if chunks used
Coconut water: Lightly sweet, hydrates with electrolytes like potassium, low in calories, very refreshing
Lime juice: Tart kick that boosts vitamin C, balances sweetness and keeps drink lively
Mint sprigs: Adds fresh aroma, subtle cooling note, almost no calories, looks pretty too
Sea salt: Tiny pinch lifts flavors, enhances sweetness perception and electrolytes, use sparingly
Ice cubes: Cools fast, dilutes slightly as they melt, great for picnic days
Lime slices for garnish: Pretty, adds mild acidity and aromatics when floated on top

Ingredient Quantities

2 cups fresh pineapple juice (about 1 small ripe pineapple) or 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks if you want to blend

4 cups chilled coconut water (about 1 liter)

Juice of 1 to 2 limes (about 2 tablespoons) adjust to taste

1 to 2 cups ice cubes, optional for serving

Lime slices for garnish, optional

Few fresh mint sprigs, optional

Pinch of sea salt, optional to boost flavor

How to Make this

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1. Make sure the 4 cups coconut water is chilled and have 1 to 2 cups ice ready if you want it extra cold.

2. If you already have 2 cups fresh pineapple juice skip ahead, otherwise cut about 1 small ripe pineapple into chunks and put 2 cups of chunks in a blender with a splash of coconut water so it blends easily.

3. Blend the pineapple until smooth then strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a pitcher to remove the pulp, or skip straining if you like a thicker drink.

4. Pour the 2 cups fresh pineapple juice into the pitcher with the remaining chilled coconut water so you end up with about 4 cups coconut water plus 2 cups pineapple juice total.

5. Add the juice of 1 to 2 limes (about 2 tablespoons) to taste, and stir in a small pinch of sea salt to boost the flavor if you want.

6. Give it a good stir, then taste and adjust the lime or salt, more lime for tang, less if you want it milder.

7. Fill glasses with ice or add 1 to 2 cups ice directly to the pitcher, pour the pineapple coconut water over the ice.

8. Garnish each glass with a lime slice and a few fresh mint sprigs, gently clap or rub the mint between your hands first to wake up the oils, serve right away for best freshness.

Equipment Needed

1. Blender (or food processor)
2. Sharp chef’s knife
3. Cutting board
4. Fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth
5. Large pitcher or measuring jug (about 1.5 liters)
6. Citrus juicer or reamer (or a fork if needed)
7. Measuring cups and measuring spoons
8. Long spoon or stirrer
9. Glasses and an ice scoop or tongs

FAQ

Q: Can I use fresh pineapple chunks instead of juiced pineapple? A: Yes. Use about 2 cups of chunks and blend with the coconut water, then strain if you want it smooth. Leaving the pulp in gives more fiber and body, so either way is fine.

Q: Is this drink really no added sugar? A: Yup. The sweetness comes only from the pineapple and coconut water. Make sure to pick unsweetened coconut water and a ripe pineapple for best natural sweetness.

Q: How do I keep it from tasting flat if I make a big batch ahead? A: Store it in an airtight pitcher in the fridge and drink within 24 to 48 hours. Give it a quick stir before serving. If you want a fresher pop, add sparkling water just before serving.

Q: Can I make it fizzy or add variations? A: Totally. Mix in chilled club soda or sparkling water to taste right before serving. You can also muddle mint, add a few mango chunks, or a splash of pineapple kombucha for a twist.

Q: Should I add the pinch of sea salt and lime every time? A: The pinch of salt really wakes up the flavors so I usually add it, but it`s optional. Lime you should adjust to taste 1 to 2 limes. If your pineapple is super sweet use less lime, if it`s tart use more.

Q: Is this safe for kids and can babies drink it? A: For older kids it's fine in moderation, but for babies under 12 months check with your pediatrician before giving coconut water or concentrated fruit juices. Also dilute it a bit for little kids if you want less sugar per sip.

Pineapple Coconut Water Recipe (No Added Sugar) Substitutions and Variations

Pineapple (2 cups fresh juice or chunks): use 2 cups canned pineapple juice (no sugar added), or 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks thawed, or swap for 2 cups mango or papaya puree for a different tropical vibe
Coconut water (4 cups): use plain chilled water plus 1/2 cup light coconut milk for a creamier drink, or try chilled sparkling water for fizz, or dilute coconut water concentrate to taste
Lime juice (juice of 1 to 2 limes): substitute fresh lemon juice, or bottled lime juice if you gotta, or try 2 teaspoons yuzu or calamansi if you have it for a brighter pop
Mint sprigs (garnish): swap with fresh basil leaves, or cilantro for an herbal twist, or use thin cucumber slices or a pineapple wedge as garnish instead

Pro Tips

1. Chill everything ahead and use flavored ice: cool the coconut water and pineapple if you can, and freeze some pineapple chunks into ice cubes so the drink wont get watered down as it melts.

2. Decide how much texture you want before you strain: if you like it smooth, strain through a fine sieve and press the pulp to get every bit of juice, but if you want more body and fiber, skip straining and call it rustic.

3. Add lime and salt slowly and taste as you go: a tiny pinch of sea salt makes the flavors pop, and lime can quickly overpower the sweet, so squeeze a little at a time until it sings.

4. Treat the mint gently and hold the ice till the end: clap or rub the mint to wake up the oils but dont mash it, tuck sprigs in at serving time, and if youre making this ahead, keep ice and garnish separate so it stays bright and fizzy.

Pineapple Coconut Water Recipe (No Added Sugar)

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I’m sharing a bright, sugar-free summer recipe featuring pineapple juice and coconut water with a splash of lime and pure tropical flavor to pique your curiosity.

Servings

servings

Calories

kcal

Equipment: 1. Blender (or food processor)
2. Sharp chef’s knife
3. Cutting board
4. Fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth
5. Large pitcher or measuring jug (about 1.5 liters)
6. Citrus juicer or reamer (or a fork if needed)
7. Measuring cups and measuring spoons
8. Long spoon or stirrer
9. Glasses and an ice scoop or tongs

Ingredients

2 cups fresh pineapple juice (about 1 small ripe pineapple) or 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks if you want to blend
4 cups chilled coconut water (about 1 liter)
Juice of 1 to 2 limes (about 2 tablespoons) adjust to taste
1 to 2 cups ice cubes, optional for serving
Lime slices for garnish, optional
Few fresh mint sprigs, optional
Pinch of sea salt, optional to boost flavor

Directions

Make sure the 4 cups coconut water is chilled and have 1 to 2 cups ice ready if you want it extra cold.
If you already have 2 cups fresh pineapple juice skip ahead, otherwise cut about 1 small ripe pineapple into chunks and put 2 cups of chunks in a blender with a splash of coconut water so it blends easily.
Blend the pineapple until smooth then strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a pitcher to remove the pulp, or skip straining if you like a thicker drink.
Pour the 2 cups fresh pineapple juice into the pitcher with the remaining chilled coconut water so you end up with about 4 cups coconut water plus 2 cups pineapple juice total.
Add the juice of 1 to 2 limes (about 2 tablespoons) to taste, and stir in a small pinch of sea salt to boost the flavor if you want.
Give it a good stir, then taste and adjust the lime or salt, more lime for tang, less if you want it milder.
Fill glasses with ice or add 1 to 2 cups ice directly to the pitcher, pour the pineapple coconut water over the ice.
Garnish each glass with a lime slice and a few fresh mint sprigs, gently clap or rub the mint between your hands first to wake up the oils, serve right away for best freshness.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.